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Bestseller Lists

Bestseller Lists

Becoming a Bestselling Author is a significant milestone for any author. It not only validates your work but also opens doors to greater visibility, credibility, and opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of bestseller lists can help you navigate your path to success. Below are key aspects and comparisons of major bestseller lists, including qualification standards and the importance of being a Bestselling Author.

Bestseller Lists

Comparison Chart

CriteriaEbooksPrint BooksAudiobooks

Sales Tracking Period

Weekly

Weekly

Weekly

Sales Sources

Independent and chain retailers, online

Broad range of retailers

Online and offline sales from a range of retailers

Format Considered

Print, eBook, Audio

Print, eBook

Print

Minimum Sales Required

Varies

Varies

Varies

Additional Factors

Curated selection

Sales

Sales

Qualification Standards

Each bestseller list has specific qualification standards that authors must meet to be considered. These standards vary based on sales volume, sources, and other criteria.

  1. New York Times
    Considers sales from retailers and online platforms, with a curated approach that includes editorial judgment.

  2. USA Today
    Ranks books purely based on sales numbers from a broad range of retailers.

  3. SUCCESS Magazine
    Focuses on sales numbers; its categories include business, personal development, leadership, marketing, money, and entrepreneurship. The SUCCESS Bestseller ecosystem also includes book reviews, a dynamic book club, and book synopses.

The Importance of Becoming a Bestseller

Becoming a bestseller can significantly boost your career. It enhances your credibility, increases your visibility, and opens new opportunities for speaking engagements, media appearances, and collaborations. Authors of national bestsellers can command higher fees for speaking engagements and services than those who haven’t hit that milestone. There’s nothing quite like a bestselling book to put you in the national spotlight and provide you a platform to talk about your products or services.

We have a stellar track record in promoting books to bestseller status. In fact, we’ve helped over 130 books reach national bestseller lists.

Learn more about the importance of becoming a bestseller on our Bestseller Services Page.

The Importance of Becoming a Bestseller

What Are the Major Bestsellers?

Understanding the major bestseller lists is crucial for targeting your efforts effectively. Here’s a brief overview of the top lists:

### New York Times

New York Times

The New York Times Bestseller List is considered the gold standard mainly because of its influence over the years (began in 1931). It considers sales from a variety of major retailers and online platforms, with a curated approach that includes editorial judgment. Its method of calculating sales is arcane, and it involves numbers, as well as what may be called “vibe.”

Explore more on our Bestseller Services Page.

### USA Today

USA Today

The USA Today Bestseller List ranks books purely based on sales numbers from a broad range of retailers. It provides a straightforward measure of a book’s popularity across different formats.

Learn more about the USA Today Bestseller List on our Bestseller Services Page.

### USA Today

USA Today

Getting authors on bestseller lists and helping them use their book to achieve their bigger goals is what we do.

Do you have what it takes to be the next bestselling book? Assessing your readiness to become a bestseller involves evaluating your current platform, audience engagement, and marketing strategies.

Here are key factors to consider:

  1. Platform Strength
    Do you have a robust online presence and a loyal following?

  2. Audience Engagement
    Are your readers highly engaged and likely to support your book launch?

  3. Marketing Plan
    Do you have a comprehensive marketing plan that leverages both traditional and digital channels?

Find out more about your readiness to become a bestseller on our Bestseller Services Page.

Achieving bestseller status requires strategic planning and execution. By understanding the different bestseller lists, their qualification standards, and the importance of being a bestseller, you can better navigate your path to success. Whether targeting the New York Times, USA Today, or SUCCESS Magazine Bestsellers, ensure your platform is strong, your audience is engaged, and your marketing plan is robust. Visit our Bestseller Services Page. for more information on how to achieve your Bestseller goals.

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